Is a ball carrier down by contact...

[bisonlj]

Originally Posted by jaybird

This is not a true statement. It is common-tater talk.

Of course, the ground can actually cause a fumble! If a guy goes airborn and the first thing to hit the ground is the ball and it pops out, the ground did cause the fumble!

I do hate it when I hear people say the ground can't cause a fumble. I know announcers have a job to do and generally they do a good job but they don't understand the rules and spread things like this too often.

[Kajun Ref N Texas]

Originally Posted by bisonlj

Of course, the ground can actually cause a fumble! If a guy goes airborn and the first thing to hit the ground is the ball and it pops out, the ground did cause the fumble!

I do hate it when I hear people say the ground can't cause a fumble. I know announcers have a job to do and generally they do a good job but they don't understand the rules and spread things like this too often.

With all due respect, do you really not know what the phrase means? I think we are getting a little to legalistic. It simply means that if you hit the ground and the ball pops out, you are down because you hit the ground first. Yes, if the ball hits first, it's a fumble. So the phrase, "the ground can't cause a fumble" is accurate unless the ball hits first.

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by Kajun Ref N Texas

With all due respect, do you really not know what the phrase means? I think we are getting a little to legalistic. It simply means that if you hit the ground and the ball pops out, you are down because you hit the ground first. Yes, if the ball hits first, it's a fumble. So the phrase, "the ground can't cause a fumble" is accurate unless the ball hits first.

This isn't some defined phrase. It is just a phrase used by people who don't actually understand the rules.

[bisonlj]

Originally Posted by Kajun Ref N Texas

With all due respect, do you really not know what the phrase means? I think we are getting a little to legalistic. It simply means that if you hit the ground and the ball pops out, you are down because you hit the ground first. Yes, if the ball hits first, it's a fumble. So the phrase, "the ground can't cause a fumble" is accurate unless the ball hits first.

As LDUB said, it's a phrase that annoys educated officials because it has nothing to do with the rules. Kind of like "play to the whistle" and "he got his head in front". They are things made up by coaches or announcers that have no basis in the rules and they apply the rules using these comments.

[jaybird]

Originally Posted by Kajun Ref N Texas

With all due respect, do you really not know what the phrase means? I think we are getting a little to legalistic. It simply means that if you hit the ground and the ball pops out, you are down because you hit the ground first. Yes, if the ball hits first, it's a fumble. So the phrase, "the ground can't cause a fumble" is accurate unless the ball hits first.

I know exactly what it means.
It means that people who use the statement are mimicking an inaccurate comment that is not supported by rule. That also means it is usually said by fans, players, coaches and common-taters. Not what you would call an intelligent group in regard to rules knowledge.

[Kajun Ref N Texas]

Originally Posted by jaybird

I know exactly what it means.
It means that people who use the statement are mimicking an inaccurate comment that is not supported by rule. That also means it is usually said by fans, players, coaches and common-taters. Not what you would call an intelligent group in regard to rules knowledge.

Why, then, do we have this phrase in the rules, "or when the ball carrier is tackled or otherwise falls and loses possession of the ball as he contacts the ground with any part of his
body, except his hand or foot," if not to clarify that, contact with the ground creates a dead ball situtaion, i.e., "the ground can't cause a fumble."

[Adam]

Originally Posted by jaybird

I know exactly what it means.
It means that people who use the statement are mimicking an inaccurate comment that is not supported by rule. That also means it is usually said by fans, players, coaches and common-taters. Not what you would call an intelligent group in regard to rules knowledge.

Sort of like "tie goes to the runner."